It’s a massive week for racing on both sides of the Irish Sea and it kicks off today with the beginning of the Galway Festival. We’ll have to wait until tomorrow for Glorious Goodwood, where there will be a few nice bets to be had, but for today there is enough action to keep us going. The Silk Series continues at Windsor and there is a decent card at Ayr. Here are the main contenders:
3.00 Ayr – 1m7f Handicap
Silva Eclipse
Trip and ground are in his favour and it’s easy to see him resuming his improvement here, though it isn’t 100% guaranteed.
Wor Lass
The ever popular mare knows how to run around here but has perhaps not been at her best of late. Not too badly handicapped though.
Braes Of Lochalsh
Suffered from seconditis at this track but is very consistent and should appreciate the step back up in trip.
Addicted To You
Inexperienced for a stayer but improving very nicely. He’ll stay no problem, has the right jockey on board and will like the conditions. Huge chance.
Tor
A last time out winner for a trainer who knows the way around here. Has gone from 6/7f to staying trips in very little time and may show his best when allowed time to get going. Won’t get an easy lead like last time though.
Summary
Tor and Silva Eclipse are solid enough and can show up well, but the one who has most in hand is Mark Johnston’s ADDICTED TO YOU. The 3yo is still progressing and will battle all the way to the line which looks like a winning combo.
3.30 Ayr – 1m Handicap
Strong Steps
Jim Goldie knows the score here and his new recruit may be appreciating his new surroundings. The stronger pace compared to his last effort at Ayr will help.
Royal Shaheen
C&D winner last time who gets on well with this jockey. He should come forward from his last run and is a strong contender.
Abushamah
Handles just about any ground and is a proper miler. Going well right now and must be in the front rank here.
Magistral
Does OK here and was favourite for a similar contest last time.
Crazy Tornado
Course and distance winner last time down in Class 6 and may appreciate his racing weight here. It’s a slight jump up in class but he’s going well and can cope with it.
Summary
A decent event with not too many badly handicapped, though the one who may have weight in hand is CRAZY TORNADO. Next best is Abushamah though plenty are in with place chances.
6.40 Windsor – 1m2f Handicap
Fast And Hot
Not one of the Hannon team’s leading lights but certainly an admirable and consistent sort. Won well here last time and must be considered again.
Western Duke
Off the track since running well here in May and has been gelded since. Mixed it with some good company in the spring and will have improved but may need this run.
Apres Midi
Karl Burke’s raider (his only of the day), ran arguably her best race here in May and will have improved, at least at home, since then. Probably just didn’t enjoy the fast ground the last twice and will be seen to much better effect here.
Glorious Forever
Won just the once but that was here last year as a juvenile.
X Rated
Mark Johnston brings just this one to the Queen’s back garden. Typically versatile but probably better on fast ground.
Summary
Fast And Hot and Glorious Forever will be popular choices and rightly so, however the outsider APRES MIDI looks to be of great interest with conditions much more to her liking here.
8.10 Galway – 1m4f 3yo Handicap
Eagle Spirit
In cracking form having been gelded and ran easily his best race last time out, however I can’t say he looks particularly well handicapped.
Slaney Street
Worked hard but still improving, could have a little bit of weight in hand if coming on again.
Pearl Of The West
Broke her maiden having been stepped up to this trip and seems to really appreciate it. Raised 3lbs for it though and will find this a lot tougher.
Hyperdrive
Won over a similar trip on fast ground and over 1m2f last time on soft. Should appreciate this test and could go very close to the hat-trick.
Acclamatio
Took a big step forward when winning last time and this could have been the plan all along.
Summary
A typically competitive Galway handicap but one where hat-trick seeker HYPERDRIVE may just have more to offer. Slaney Street could well prove best of the rest.
8.30 Wolverhampton – 1m ½f Handicap
Count Montecristo
Likes it and remains consistent here, can go well as usual.
Excel Again
Proven to like this surface as he is unbeaten in two at Newcastle, still progressing and may yet be a few pounds ahead of the handicapper for now.
First Up
Improved after gelding operation to be runner-up at Epsom and should come on from that. Impressive on his only AW start and could be a good deal better than that now.
Dubai Elegance
Not as good on Tapeta last time but still has plenty of potential.
Summary
There could be a proper handicap blot here in the shape of FIRST UP of Jeremy Noseda’s. The 3yo showed improved form at Epsom after being gelded but was even better last season on this surface and he could have loads in hand. Excel Again may be next best.